Occasional forum posts refer to mute swan darvic ring numbers. Could anyone noting any BLUE ringed mute swans please send details to me through the forum as a PM. I will then be able to supply original ringing details and a history of sightings.
Since 2013, we have been using rings starting 4AAA etc. Prior to this, we used blue rings with 3 digits, either 4AA, A4A, A6A, 6AA or AAA etc. To avoid misreads, we don't use the letters E, G, K, M, O, Q, R or W.
Owing to cost, we only use darvics on cygnets of known origin and on breeding pairs. Other birds are ringed with a BTO metal ring only on the left leg. These can often be read in the field if the bird comes out of the water.
We cover all of GM, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria. Any birds with green rings are from the Cheshire scheme and should be reported via: https://cheshireswanstudygroup.wordpress.com/
I've got 12 months info on movements of MS wearing darvics visiting Chorlton WP that I need some background info on for inclusion in the 2006 CWP Bird Report. I'll contact you at the second address very soon.
Cheers
Pete
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